Student Retention
Who are the key players in keeping students enrolled throughout their programs?
Constant communication with students is important in keeping them focus and engaged. An instructor must be clear about course expectations not only for students but for himself as well.Being specific about Class schedules, attendance and grading.Provide detailed information that will eliminate gray areas out of the course. Above all,a key element for success is the support system offered by the instructor and his willingness to identify and reach out to student at risks(in trouble). Those are factors that will help keep a student engaged and improve retention.
This is so true. In fact, it became a major issue at my school that had a severe impact on the operation of the school. If admissions enrolls students that are not qualified for entrance, many classes can be impacted. That being said, when the instructor is in the classroom with the students the instructor should be the first to notice the signs of difficulty and to respond.
In no particular order--
1. Instructors to keep the educational process moving forward; 2. Program directors/advisors for additional personal contact; 3. other students to feel more connected to the classes and programs, 3. someone on staff to provide contact to outside asistance providers. To me, all of these must work together.
The key players in keeping students enrolled in their programs I believe are most importantly is academics. The instructor plays a major role in keeping the student intrigued about their major of study in the lecture environment.
I believe that the primary two players in keeping students enrolled are the student and the instructor. The student's involvement is obvious but the instructors may not be as clear.
Using my answer from one of the reflection questions,the primary role of an instructor in a student-as-customer institution is to be an active listener for student feedback and to be a student advocate at times of stress or unrest in the student’s life. Since the instructor engages with the student on a daily, or near daily, basis, the instructor may be the greatest influence on the student’s perception of the school, the educational experience and the student's desire to persist to degree completion. Therefore, the instructor must be readily accessible, approachable and willing to help the student to be successful.
With the instructor as a "gate-keeper", students may be more successful as the instructor is able to help point them towards the resources needed to persist in each institution.
Obvious answer is the Instructor, but there are so many influences, family, friends, income, child care, and transportation. Although we are key in keeping their interests, it can be a challenge to do it all. I try to get to know each students needs, and work with them to achieve their education goals.
The instructor spends the most time with the student while they are on campus and thus have the greatest potential to effect student retention. Any student that an instructor has taught could become the mentor that can help get through to a student.
Hi Chuck,
It takes an entire school to work retention. Retention is a constant battle, but it is definitely worth it to help our students become success stories.
Patricia Scales
I’m not sure I would call them key players, but I do think there are a lot of key factors that have to be looked at. Yes as an Instructor we are with the student most of the day, but we have no Idea what and who else has influence on them. As said before in another discussion, there are admission teams, financial aid issues, and we can forget what the students hear and see when they get home. I think as instructors we have to try very hard to overcome any negativity that we hear coming from students regardless of where it comes from. It does make the job a little harder, but in the end when you get a friendly email from students that have graduated saying that you had a big influence in their life and helping them follow their dreams. It’s all worth all it
Hi Helena,
Yes. It definitely takes team work when it comes to retention. Together we can accomplish more.
Patricia Scales
Hi Robert,
I concur! We need to make it know to students through our actions that we genuinely care about them. Rapport building is very important.
Patricia Scales
Hi Patricia, that’s a great question! Our Department Chair is also heavily involved with retention along with the advisor and instructor. We all play a part in keeping an eye on at-risk students and work hard to help these adult learners get back on track. We want to see them succeed and the team approach definitely allows us to communicate better with the students.
Key is the active relationship between the student and instructor. When a student realizes that the instructor is genuinely interested in them, he or she is often motivated to remain engaged.
Hi R. Maurice,
Wow, what an impressive retention percentage. You do a fine job with retaining your students. You have very good practices in place to allow for retention of students. I care tell you work retention really hard, and you genuinely care about your students.
Patricia Scales
Once the student has been enrolled and is attending class, the instructor is the key person in keeping that student in school. That instructor could probably more accurately be described as the coordinator of retention in this context.
In this retention coordinator role, the instructor must be knowledgeable about all the school's resources available,plus a solid understanding of the demographics from which the students come.
In my case, the majority of issues relating to retention are non-academic. We have students who have lost their jobs -- help is provided in having them apply for unemployment insurance. Additionally, they are "escorted" to the career services for assistance in looking for an obtaining employment while they continue their education.
Sometimes it is financial. Our financial aid department, in conjunction with a dedicated "student success coordinator" have developed a reference manual for the city of where one may acquire assistance for housing, food, childcare or even clothing.
Health related issues are another area of concern -- both the student and their families. The allied health instructor staff is able to aid students in directions for obtaining appropriate medical services.
The admission representatives are to check with their enrolled students weekly during their tenure up through graduation.
None of these aforementioned practices occur unless it is the instructor who initiates them on behalf of the student. The instructor must communicate with other campus personnel as necessary to make this happen.
In order for the students to feel comfortable in communicating with me in the classroom, there is a sign on my desk that reads: "BEEF"
On the first day they are in my class, they are informed that "BEEF" stands for anything good or bad in the academic program and that it either starts or stops with the instructor. Speak with the instructor about anything that concerns the student.
The students are also informed on their first day in my class that if they are not in class and they have not communicated with me in person, by voice-mail or e-mail, then they will receive a phone call from me finding out why they are not in class. It provides daily attention to each student.
Since we are on a modular class schedule -- one class a month with five-hour long class periods -- at least once during each class session I will speak individually with each student about something that pertains to the class -- be it attendance, study habits, assignments, etc. That also enables the instructor to have a near immediate grasp of each students situation.
When the instructor (retention coordinator) organizes all of these activities, retention remains high. Of those within my program who were not retained the last fiscal year, only 20 per cent were for academic reasons -- the rest for non-academic reasons basically medical-related situations for either the student or a family member. Over-all retention in my program was 89 per cent.
Hi David,
I believe as instructors we have to be our students biggest cheerleaders. We have to due our due diligence to help keep them motivated and excited. Of course, we must do our part to prepare them academicly.
Patricia Scales
Student persistence increases as the level of integration of social and academic issues increases.
What can faculty members do?
* Foster the integration of both academic (performance) and non-academic (motivation, academic self-confidence, and social integration) issues in your classes.
* Use team building activities, peer reviews, Supplemental Instruction (tutoring by peers), and give frequent and prompt feedback to students about their academic performance (including explicit improvement strategies)
Hi Sandra,
Outside support such as family/friends really helps out a lot with retention. These folks help with money, babysitting, moral support, etc.
Patricia Scales
The student who will get the most out of it, The Instructor who engaged them each day, Finicial aid, they make sure they don't have any money worries and can focus on school 100 percent. Family and friends who are actively motivation for them.
